It’s no It’s no secret that straight pool is one of my favorite games and that I believe it is the best teaching game for pool players.

Now, I understand it’s 8-ball league season and players are practicing their runouts, but the similarity between 8-ball and straight pool is something that players should recognize and use to their advantage. Both games involve devising a plan for multiple balls in multiple pockets. And that’s where a little straight pool practice can pay dividends. Straight pool teaches you short position play, which is critical in a high-traffic game like 8-ball and it forces you to identify a very specific spot for cue ball position.

Obviously, working on position play in tight spaces will improve your ability to run balls, and straight pool’s precise position will have a huge impact on your 8-ball game. Additionally, playing straight pool will enhance your ability to see patterns. Being able to shoot any ball into any pocket will force you to really look at and understand multiple options with the same layout. A little trial and error will teach you what decisions worked, and which didn’t.


If you add straight pool to your practice regimen, don’t put expectations on yourself to immediately become a hundred-ball runner. It’s all about seeing patterns. If you think you can plan five balls ahead, start with five balls on the table. If you can only think four balls ahead with confidence, start with four. Pick a starting point that you can manage and that won’t frustrate you and build from there.

Obviously, pattern play in straight pool has the goal of landing on a break shot that will allow you to continue your run into the next rack. In that vein, you can pick out the optimal break ball and work backwards to the remaining balls on the table. In that way, it’s similar to 8-ball, where you work backwards from the 8 to develop your runout pattern. The only difference is that in straight pool, you want your shot on the break ball to have a pronounce angle. In 8-ball, you try to play for an easy, straight-in shot.

Try the layout shown in the diagram playing straight pool. The 6 ball is the perfect break ball. Now, work your way backwards from there. You should notice that the 10 ball in the side pocket is your best bet to land properly on the 3 for your break shot. Figure out a pattern for the three remaining balls that will allow you to get position on the 10 ball and you will effectively be using straight pool to improve your 8-ball game.